Home insurance customers have been warned to prepare for a chilly month ahead, as more cold weather and frost has been predicted for March.

Steve Chelton, of Swinton, remarked: ‘With the freezing weather forecast, it is essential that homeowners plan ahead - especially to avoid frozen water pipes. Frozen pipes can cause misery and thousands of pounds worth of damage, but with a few simple steps they can easily be avoided. If you have been waiting to fix a leaky tap or insulate your piping, now's the time to do it.’

As well as checking pipes are insulated and fixing leaky taps, consumers have been advised to leave plugs in their sinks to avoid dripping water freezing in pipes and to turn the heating down instead of turning it off completely. Additional tips include leaving the attic door open to help warm air circulate around pipes and keeping the name and number of a local plumber handy in case there are any emergencies.